After a one-week layoff following last Sunday's win over Clemson, the fifth-ranked Blue Devils resume conference play Monday night when they face the N. C. State Wolfpack.
Duke (21-3, 13-0) enters the contest boasting a perfect record against ACC competition, including 11 wins coming by way of double-digit margins of victory. However, Jan. 13th the Wolfpack (12-12, 6-7) nearly pulled off a dramatic upset, as the Blue Devils eeked out a hard-fought 73-68 victory.
Although many ACC schools have approached Duke with trepidation, the Blue Devils feel certain that their in-state rivals will enter Cameron Indoor Stadium with full confidence.
"Every time we have played State it's been a tough game," Tillis said. "I think we will be ready to play, and I'm sure they will be too."
In preparing for their second battle with the Wolfpack, Goestenkors had her team focused on remedying specific problems it encountered in the schools' first match-up.
One area of concern was the Wolfpack's ability to slash and attack the Blue Devils from the perimeter; another was combating the N.C. State's creative defenses.
"They penetrated on us a ton last game," Krapohl said. "We really have to do a better job of stopping their penetration. Also, [last meeting with the Wolfpack] was the first time we saw a box-and-one on Alana, so that's something we have been working on because they will probably go to it again."
The Blue Devils also focused on the Wolfpack's formidable post tandem of Kaayla Chones and Carisse Moody. Chones scored 17 points in the first contest between the two teams, but a sprained ankle forced Moody to spectate from the sidelines.
The duo enters Monday night completely healthy--a fact the Blue Devils are not overlooking.
"We have to do a great job on those two," Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said. "They rebound the ball very, very well, and they can score down on the low blocks. They are big, physical post players, so we are looking to double-team on them."
Despite the seven-day break from competition, the Blue Devils do not feel particularly worried they will be battling rust or lethargy Monday night.
"I think right now it has been good for us," Vicki Krapohl said. "We've been working on a lot of things, we really have been trying to get ready for our tournament run. You never want to get out of game shape and the game rhythm. I think it's been good for us."
The Blue Devils' primary concern during the week of practice was on its defensive tenacity.
"Most everything had to do with our defense, to be honest with you," Goestenkors said. "We worked on boxing out, dealing with screens on the ball, giving one another help, and we put in a new defense as well.... We talked about the fact that championship teams play great defense and rebound the ball well."
The Blue Devils also utilized the layoff for rest and recuperation, as Goestenkors allowed her players' a few days off from practice.
"I think we were a little mentally fatigued," Goestenkors said. "It gave us time to focus on ourselves. We had been focusing on our next opponent every single day, so [the break] gave us time to focus on the basics, to getting back to doing the little things right."
One of those little things was to focus only upon improving as a basketball squad. The Blue Devils categorically deny dwelling, even the slightest bit, upon finishing conference play with an unblemished 16-0 record.
"I asked them, because the media has been talking about it, OIs this something you've been thinking about?'" Goestenkors said. "They said it is not something that has even been on their minds, because they understand that it is not about going undefeated but about getting better everyday."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.